It’s general knowledge at this point, if someone says ‘tallest tower in the world’ your brain doesn’t skip a beat to think about Burj Khalifa. But our friendly neighbours, Saudi Arabia is ready to change that. The Kingdom isn’t just planning one, but 2 groundbreaking projects that will make the Burj look small in comparison. Leading the charge is the Rise Tower in Riyadh, expected to soar a jaw-dropping 2,000 metres into the sky, making it the Saudi Arabia tallest tower in the world. Alongside it, the long-awaited Jeddah Tower is finally back on track and will soon cross the 1 km mark, securing its place as the tallest building in Saudi Arabia under construction right now. I have all the fascinating details you want to know, so keep reading to find out more.
Also read: Is Saudi Arabia Becoming The New Dubai?
Rise Tower In Riyadh – A 2 km Sky Giant
The Saudi Arabia new tallest tower, known as Rise Tower, is nothing short of an engineering wonder. Unveiled in 2023 as part of Riyadh’s futuristic North Pole District, this megaproject is backed by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Once complete, it will stand over twice the height of the Burj Khalifa, redefining the answer to the question: which is the tallest building in the world?
Designed by Foster + Partners, Rise Tower is planned to feature 678 floors filled with luxury hotels, residences, offices, sky-high dining, entertainment venues, and breathtaking observation decks. At an estimated cost of $5 billion, this isn’t just a skyscraper – it’s a vertical city. Construction bids are already underway, with global contractors competing to bring the vision to life.
Tower 2 – Jeddah Tower
The Jeddah Tower, also called Kingdom Tower, has been making headlines for years as the tallest building in Saudi Arabia under construction. Originally halted in 2018 due to financial challenges, the project finally roared back to life in January 2025. By mid-2025, it had already passed 70 completed floors, showing strong momentum toward its 2028 completion date.
Designed by the same architects behind the Burj Khalifa, AKA Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, the Jeddah Tower will rise to around 1,008 metres. It will be home to luxury residences, office spaces, a Four Seasons Hotel, and the world’s highest observation deck. With an estimated cost of $1.23 billion, the tower will anchor the ambitious Jeddah Economic City and attract global investment.
Changing The Skyline Of The World Forever
Both Rise Tower and Jeddah Tower aim to put the Kingdom on the map as a hub of futuristic urban design and innovation. With one reaching 2 km high and the other surpassing 1 km, the answer to which is the tallest building in the world will keep evolving in the coming years.
What’s certain is that the Saudi Arabia tallest building planned will completely transform the global skyline. Soon, when people talk about record-breaking skyscrapers, it won’t just be about the Burj Khalifa. But if you ask me (as a DXB kid who’s been around since before the tower was even constructed) this news is a little saddening. But, Saudi’s two towers on the rise strengthens the Middle East position as world leaders for innovation and steadfastness.
Are you excited for Saudi to soon hold the crown for tallest tower in the world?
